Professor Michael Osei Adu is a Professor of Crop Ecophysiology and Improvement at the School of Agriculture, University of Cape Coast, Ghana (UCC), where he is currently the Head of the Department of Crop Science. He is an internationally recognised scholar with expertise in crop physiology, plant breeding, agronomy, climate resilience, and agricultural innovation. His research focuses on critical challenges in global food security and sustainable agriculture.
Educational Background & Teaching Foundation
Before joining UCC, Professor Adu was a Duke of Edinburgh Scholar from 2009 to 2010 during his Master’s in Crop Improvement at the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom. He also held the prestigious Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship for Research Excellence for his PhD in Agricultural Sciences at the University of Nottingham, UK, from 2010 to 2014. He graduated from the University of Cape Coast with a First Class Honours in BSc Agriculture in 2005.
Professor Adu is a teacher with a Teacher’s Certificate ‘A’ from Presbyterian Teachers Training College, Akropong-Akuapem. Previously, he was a teacher at the Presbyterian Junior Secondary School, Aseseeso (1998-2001), where he taught General Science, Agricultural Science, and Mathematics.
Research Expertise & Impact
Professor Adu’s research focuses on the physiology of crop plants under abiotic stress, plant nutrition, rhizosphere interactions, and mechanisms underlying resource acquisition and utilisation by crops. He pioneers work in root system architecture in Ghana and the sub-region, developing innovative approaches to study plant root systems to enhance soil resource uptake. His interdisciplinary research also encompasses the synthesis of agricultural research through meta-analysis and systematic reviews, as well as the development of climate-smart agricultural practices.
With over 60 peer-reviewed publications in high-impact international journals and books, Professor Adu has made significant contributions to understanding crop adaptation mechanisms. His work has been widely cited in the scientific literature, establishing him as a significant contributor to the field of crop ecophysiology. His complete publication record and impact metrics are available on Google Scholar and ResearchGate.
Major Research Leadership & Funding
As Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator, Professor Adu has secured over $15 million in competitive research funding from prestigious international sources:
Sampled Projects:
- DIVAGRI (Revenue Diversification Pathways in Africa) - €8.9M, European Union Horizon 2020
- SustInAfrica (Sustainable Intensification of Food Production) - €6.9M, European Union Horizon 2020
- Building Vegetable Farmers' Resilience (FRUITBUNCH) - DKK 11.9M, Danish Fellowship Centre
- Taro Improvement and Commercialisation Project - US$239K, FAO Benefit-sharing Fund
- CGIAR Innovation Stocktaking in Ghana – US$253,935, Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centres (CGIAR) - Standing Panel on Impact Assessment (SPIA)
Previous Major Grants:
- USAID Feed the Future,
- SIDA AgriFoSe2030,
- RUFORUM,
- OCP Ghana, and
- Multiple UCC research support grants.
International Recognition & Collaboration
Visiting Positions & Fellowships
- Visiting Professor, Tohoku University, Japan (2024-2025)
- Guest Lecturer, University of the West Indies, Barbados (2024 - 2025)
- Guest Lecturer, Nottingham Trent University, UK (2024)
- Adjunct Lecturer, West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change (WASCAL), Mali
Editorial & Professional Service
- Associate Editor, Plant Phenomics (Science Partner Journal)
- Review Editor, Irrigation, Frontiers in Agronomy
- Guest Editor, Scientific Africa Journal (Climate Change Special Issue)
- Peer Reviewer for 20+ international journals, including Agricultural Water Management, Plant and Soil, and Field Crops Research
Academic Leadership & Administration
Current Leadership Roles:
- Head of Department, Crop Science (2023-2026)
- Former Coordinator, A.G. Carson Technology Centre (2020-2023)
- Former Department Registration and Examination Officer, Crop Science
- Member, Laboratory Modernisation Committee, UCC
- Chairperson, UTAG-UCC Professional Development Committee
- Chairperson, Grants and Scholarship Awards Committee, a subcommittee under the ACTIVATE Project’s Technical Working Committee
Supervision:
Professor Adu has successfully supervised over 19 PhD students and 16 MPhil students to completion, with 10 currently under supervision.
Postgraduate Research Examiner:
- External Examiner - Annamalai University, India
- External Examiner – University for Development Studies (UDS)
- External Examiner – Kumasi Technical University (KsTU)
- Internal Examiner – University of Cape Coast (UCC)
Capacity Building Activities:
- Regular delivery of Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis workshops
- Trainer for the Ghana Statistical Service on agricultural survey methodologies
- Workshop leader for international cohorts in climate change and agriculture
Awards & Recognition
University-Level Research Awards:
- Best Evolved Researcher Award, University of Cape Coast (2022)
- Top 10 Researcher for UCC in THE World University Rankings (2022)
- Best Evolving Researcher Award, University of Cape Coast (2020)
- Research Excellence Award, University of Cape Coast (2022, 2020, 2018)
- Best College-Level Researcher, College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences (2018)
- Emerging Researcher Award, University of Cape Coast (2016)
International Academic Awards:
- Best Student Poster Award, British Society of Soil Science (2011)
- Overall Best Student, MSc Crop Improvement, University of Nottingham (2010)
Travel Awards:
- African Plant Breeding Academy Travel Grants - University of California, Davis (2022, 2023)
- International Plant Phenotyping Network Travel Grant (2019)
- British Society of Soil Science Student Travel Grant (2013)
- University of Nottingham Kesteven WVS Travelling Grant (2013)
- Society for Experimental Biology Student Travel Grant (2012)
Policy Engagement & Development Impact
Professor Adu’s research directly informs agricultural policy and practice:
- Technical Consultant for Ghana Statistical Service and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture
- External Monitor for Ghana Core Agriculture Surveys
- Policy Brief Author for USAID Feed the Future programs
- Media Engagement - Appearances on Joy FM, Joy News, ATL FM, and other platforms
Educational Philosophy & Innovation
As an educator, Professor Adu has developed four (4) new postgraduate courses. His teaching innovations include:
- Integration of systematic review and meta-analysis in academic writing courses
- Development of field-based learning modules
Professional Profile
Contact
Email: michael.adu@ucc.edu.gh
Office: Department of Crop Science, School of Agriculture, UCC
“Committed to advancing agricultural sciences through innovative research, collaborative leadership, and evidence-based solutions that address Africa’s food security challenges while building global partnerships for sustainable development.”
